Some guidance on buying a 1999 Lexus LX470 (1 Viewer)

Location

United States

Hello all, hope this post isn’t too annoying to see on here all the time! I’m new to off-roading in general, close to pulling the trigger on a 1999 Lexus LX470. Truck has 150k miles, clean title, timing belt done at 100k. Owner is asking 13k, hoping to get it for 10-11. I understand that’s a bit higher than some examples but it is in pretty good shape. Would that be fair?
My other question is dealing with the fact that this model has the limited slip differential and no A-TRAC. Obviously nothing beats lockers, but would the limited slip diff be adequate for most hairy situations with the right tires? Say mud/snow? Appreciate any insight that can be provided, thank you!

 

[excessive]

i see prices all over the place, but $13K for a 150k mile truck sounds about right. People pay a big premium for low miles.

 

[MechE30]

Hello all, hope this post isn’t too annoying to see on here all the time! I’m new to off-roading in general, close to pulling the trigger on a 1999 Lexus LX470. Truck has 150k miles, clean title, timing belt done at 100k. Owner is asking 13k, hoping to get it for 10-11. I understand that’s a bit higher than some examples but it is in pretty good shape. Would that be fair?
My other question is dealing with the fact that this model has the limited slip differential and no A-TRAC. Obviously nothing beats lockers, but would the limited slip diff be adequate for most hairy situations with the right tires? Say mud/snow? Appreciate any insight that can be provided, thank you!

Hello fellow Californian!
I will say you can get pretty dang far with the locker situation as is. You won’t want to be lifting the front wheels though, and “rock crawling” isn’t really in the cards for you without a locker up front. The rig + AT tires will get you a lot of cool places though!

 

[hoser]

I wouldn't give rear LSD much value. I would probably prefer ATRAC over just a rear locker. I prefer F/R lockers over just ATRAC. Obviously, all three would be best.

 

[nissanh]

I recently watched a video where they compare the new defender 200 and patrol. What they found was ATRAC worked best. Patrol had a rear locker and once it is engaged, the system turns off the ATRAC and made a big hole unde rear wheels.

 

[Eliot]

Low miles, but that's a 24 year old truck that will require some attention so that price tag is hard to swallow. Set aside money and/or time for baselining. I have a 99 LX that I bought with 245k miles and now has 345k miles. It's been nothing but great and hasn't required a whole lot of repairs on top of regular maintenance.

I can't speak to offroading on the west coast, but over here in coastal SC at stock height with no lockers and BFG KO2 33" I've only been stuck once and that was axle deep in the swamp (missed the trail marker, doh). Nothing but bigger tires or a winch would have saved me. I'm doing most of my offroading in the low country swamps, on the beach and the occasional trips to the smokies hitting some trails off the beaten path. Very little rock climbing in my history.

I will say at that price you can spend a little more and find a clean 04+ and get the ATRAC ('00 and up). Another thing to consider is that '99 has the 2 pinion diff, which is more prone to failing than the 4 pinion. I think the '00 and up has the 4 pinion front diff. Might be something to consider if you're planning to rock crawl. FYI, the 2 vs 4 pinion diff has been discussed at length on the thread and I'm no expert on the differences. I've had zero issues with mine.

 

[Bluedog34]

Here in CO, 13k for 150 miles if the under carriage is pretty clean is a good deal. Anything under 200k is $$$ regionally here.

 

[krice118]

I think a 98/99 LX is the worst 100. No atrac or selectable locker. LSD doesn’t always work….

I would find a 03+

Coming from an owner of a ‘98 Land Cruiser.